Verifying means



L. G. SIMJIAN VERIFYING MEANS Sept. 7, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 OriginalFiled Jan. 26, 1959 SENSING CIRCUIT CONTROL MEANS POSITIONING MEANS mm mS G- 3 m W PU L Y E l B Cl a 5 2 n W. W I a Q 4 H5 2 a J i G v fi 7 G In E a T ll W A 3 F F. :1 T 2 AGENT.

Sept. 7, 1965 Original Filed Jan. 26, 1959 FIG.

L. G. SlMJlAN 3,205,480

VERIFYING MEANS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 x a as;

o\ r' L 0 all z I l I l 1 l i l Q l OI I V I JNVENTOR.

LUTHER G- SIMJIAN AGENT.

p 7, 1965 L. G. SIMJIAN 3,205,480

VERIFYING MEANS Original Filed Jan. 26, 1959 6 tsh t 3 INVENTOR.

LUTHER G. SIMJIAN AGENT.

Sept. 7, 1965 L. G. SIMJIAN 3,205,430

VERIFYING MEANS Original Filed Jan. 26, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 CONTROLFIG.

INVENTOR.

LUTHER G. SIMJIAN AGENT.

L. G. SIMJIAN VERIFYING MEANS Sept. 7, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 OriginalFiled Jan. 26, 1959 F l G.

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FIOIB INVENTOR.

LUTHER G. SIMJIAN AGENT.

F l G Sept. 7, 1965 L. G. SIMJIAN VERIFYING MEANS Original Filed Jan.26, 1959 FIG. l6 I2 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 AGENT.

United States Patent 3,205,480 VERIFYING MEANS Luther G. Simjian,Greenwich, Conn, assignor to Universal Match Corporation, St. Louis,Mo., a corporation of Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No.789,185, Jan. 26, 1959. This application Feb. 15, 1961, Ser. No. 90,160

14 Claims. '(Cl. 340-1463) This application is a continuation of mycopending application for Letters Patent Serial No. 789,185, filedJanuary 26, 1959, for improvements in Verifying Means, now abandoned,

This invention in general, is related to a method and means forautomatically verifying the identity of a subscriber or member of aparticular service and in a more specific manner, has reference to meansfor automatically checking the validity of identifying means presentedto an apparatus with respect to a similar identifying means storedwithin the apparatus whereby a controlled instrumentality may berendered operative depending upon the status of correlation between bothidentifying means.

More particularly, the instant invention is related to an attachment forcertain automatic vending machines, such as check cashing machines,depository devices, etc., where trust and confidence between a pluralityof subscribers and the proprietor of the machine is required and whereonly subscribers or customers entrusted with such confidence areentitled to make use of the machine.

When providing for instance a machine for automatically cashing checksin predetermined values, e.g. in the amounts of ten or twenty dollars,it is desired to positively identify the customer as not only beingentitled to this service and confidence but also to ascertain that thecustomer is a member of the particular institution which renders thisautomated service. In order to accomplish this task the presentinvention embodies new and novel means for providing positiveidentification and verification of the subscriber and furthermore,includes means to restrict the customer or subscriber of the service toa single transaction per period of time or to cancel or tem porarilysuspend the subscribers privileges. The instant invention therefore isuseful in many automatic devices involving heretofore personalrelationship or confrontation between two parties. Still further, theinstant invention enables automation of many new services and fields ofbusiness activities.

One of the objects of this invention therefore is the provision ofautomatic means for identifying :a customer or subscriber who isentitled to certain privileges and services while rejecting customersnot entitled to such privileges.

Another object of this invention is the provision of means for comparingan identifying means carried by a subscriber with a certain identifyingmeans disposed within the instant apparatus.

Another object of this invention is the provision of means for comparingan identifying means disposed within a receptacle and disposed insidethe apparatus with an identifying means normally located outside thereceptacle.

Another object of this invention is the provision of means for comparingan identifying means normally disposed outside an apparatus with anidentifying means selected from a plurality of identifying meansdisposed in a receptacle of the apparatus.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of means forverifying the identity of a subscriber who carries in his possession anidentifying means by comparing this identifying means with a similaridentifying means disposed within an apparatus and selected by saidsubscriber from a plurality of similar means.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for temporarilydisabling correlation between selected identification means.

Another and further object of this invention is the provision of meansto selectively prevent correlation of a set of identifying means aftercorrelation once has occurred.

Further and other objects of this invention will be apparent byreference to the following specification taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic block diagram of the instant device;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a typical identifying means disposed withinthe apparatus;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a similar identifying means which is carriedand in the possession of a customer or subscriber to the service;

FIGURE 4 is a close-up view of the mounting structure supporting eachidentification means within the apparatus;

FIGURE 5 is a top view along lines 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view, partly in section, along lines 66 of FIGURE 7showing a typical embodiment of the receptacle which supports aplurality of identifying means.

FIGURE 7 is a side view with covers partly broken away along lines 77 ofFIGURE 6 illustrating the coaction of the various parts in theembodiment described heretofore;

FIGURE 8 is a close-up view of certain portions of the receptacleillustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7;

FIGURE 9 is a schematic electrical circuit diagram of the meansdetermining the existence of correlation between a set of identifyingmeans;

FIGURE 10 is a side view, partly in section, of an alternate embodimentof the present invention;

FIGURE 11 is a side view of the carriage depicted in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a plan view of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is an end view, partly in section, of the carriage andassociated driving means;

FIGURE 14 is the same view as FIGURE 13 with the identifying means movedto the verifying position;

FIGURE 15 is a view similar to FIGURES l3 and 14 respectively with theidentifying means moved to a position so that correlation of identifyingmeans can no longer be accomplished;

FIGURE 16 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of an identifyingmeans disposed in the apparatus using a different means for renderingthe identifying means distinct;

FIGURE 17 is a plan view of the complementary identifying means retainedby the customer;

FIGURE 18 is a side view of the identifying means when aligned fortesting for correlation, and

FIGURE 19 is a view along section lines 19-19 of FIGURE 18.

Referring now to the figures and FIGURE 1 in particular, the overallconcept of the instant invention will be apparent.

Numeral 11 represents a receptacle which supports along its periphery aplurality of identifying means 12. A customer or subscriber operatingcontrol means 13 connected by mechanical or electrical means to apositioning means 14, for instance a motor, a synchro, a steppingswitch, or similar device, positions the receptacle in such a mannerthat the selected identifying means is aligned in the optical pathbetween a source of illumination 15, lenses 16 and 17, and anidentifying means 18 which is normally in the possession of the personoperat ing the machine. The status of correlation between the selectedidentifying means '12 supported by the receptacle and the identifyingmeans 18 normally in the possession of the subscriber is sensed by asensing means 19 which the letters andthe signature are transparentwhereas the.

background material is opaque. Similarly, aperture 23 is transparent ormay comprise a transparent portion on the sheet 22 which in general, maybe considered a negative transparency.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the identifying means or card normally inpossession and under the control of the subscriber. It comprises a frame25 and a sheet of material 26 fastened therein. The latter identifyingmeans also is provided with a facsimile of the signature, theidentification number, but the sheet of material 26 preferably is apositive transparency, that is, opaque lettering on transparentbackground. Obviously, one or bothidentifying means may be laminatedbetween a set of plastic transparent sheets to impart stiffness to eachmeans.

It will be apparent that if the signatures are photographicreproductions from the same master, both identifying means can bepositioned in such a manner as to bring the indicia thereon into opticalalignment and superposed with respect to one another. When this occurs,by virtue of having provided positive and negative transparenciesrespectively, illumination disposed in the rear of identifying means 12,see FIGURE 1, will cause light incident upon sensing means 19 onlythrough aperture 23. This aperture under normal conditions can beblocked so that no light will fall upon sensing means 19 provided thatthere is perfect match or correlation between both identifying means.When however, the subscribers card 18 does not correlate with respect tothe selected identifying means 12 within the receptacle, light willshine upon sensing means 19 and the verifying apparatus causes ablocking signal to the instrumentality to which it is connected. I

It is apparent that signatures cannot readily be forged particularlywhen one signature must be completely identical with the other. tures inFIGURES 2 and ,3 are made from a common master or from one another. Inthe event an identifying meansis reported lost, a new signature and newidentifying means are provided. Moreover, it will be apparent thatduplicate copies of identifying means 12 may be made and inserted inwidely spaced machines so as to give the customer an opportunity tofrequent the machine located most accessible.

FIGURES 4 and illustrate the mounting of a typical identifying meanswithin the receptacle and the coaction between the means for preventingcorrelation between both identifying means. Identifying means 12 issupported in a frame 30 which supports at its right side a vertical pin31. An opaque flag or shutter '32 is disposed about the pin 31 andarranged for pivotal motion there-- about. In the position shown inFIGURE.4,shuttter 32 blocks light transmission through aperture 23. Thiscondition may be considered the operative position. It will beunderstood however that by means shown more clearly on later figures,the shutter, one being associated with each frame, may be rotated ninetydegrees so that light is transmitted through aperture 23 and is incidentupon sensing means 19, FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a typical embodiment of the receptacle whichsupports a plurality of identifying means. Each identifying means canselectively be brought into optical alignment with an identifying meansnormally disv posed outside the receptacle and also into alignment withI the sensing means 19. To this end a transverse shaft 40 It is for thisreason that the sigma:

supported for rotation and axial motion in plates 41 and 42 supportsthree wheel type structure 43A, 43B and 43C. These wheels are fastenedto one another by support means 44 and all wheels rotate in unison withshaft by virtue of supporting structure 45 which fastens wheel 43A toshaft 40.-

The periphery of each of the three wheels is, provided with a pluralityof frames 30, each containing an identifying means 12 and shutter 32respectively. It will be apparent that identifying means 12 disposed onthe wheels, differ from one another to the extent that each identifyingmeans is associated with a single customer and with an identifying means18 normally disposed outside the receptacle. A motor 47 driving anelongated pinion 48 imparts rotational motion to shaft 40 by means ofgear 49 fastened to shaft 40. Similarly, a motor 50 driving via gears 51and 52 a circumferentially grooved portion 53 of shaft 40 provideslongitudinal excursion of shaft 40. Stationary with respect to the shaftand the identifying means 12 there is disposed at what may be termed asensing station, a source of light 15, lens 16, lens 17, and sensingmeans 19. By virtue of rotational motion imparted to the shaft 40 viamotor 47 and by axial motion imparted via motor 50, any of theidentifying means disposed on the wheels 43A, B, or C, may be broughtinto optical alignment between. illuminating means 15 and sensing means19.

At this sensing station there is disposed also a solenoid operatedactuator positioned so as to readily engage any of the shutters 32associated with the frame of the identifying means 12. When energizingactuator 60, the respective shutter is engaged at its right end androtated by about ninety degrees so as to uncover aperture 23 of theidentifying means thereby permitting lightsto reach sensing means 19.The identifying means disposed outside the receptacle is brought intoalignment with the identifying means 12 by means of guide meanscomprising a rectangular channel 61, partly apertured, to permit a lightpath between light source 15 and sensing means 19.

FIGURE 7 more clearly illustrates the coaction between the variouselements identified hereinbefore. A subscriber desiring to operate theapparatus for the purpose of correlating his identifying means mustfirst select from data in his possession or Within his knowledge, theproper identifying means disposed in the receptacle. By means ofsuitable control means (FIGURE 1) he then actuates motors 47 and 50 soas to position the selected identifying means 12 at the sensing station,that is, in the light path between source 15 and sensing means 19.Moreover, he places the identifying means normally under his control andpossession onto a slide 70, pushes the slide momentarily inward wherebythe leading edge 70A of the slide closes circuit switch 71. The slide isreturned by conventional spring means (not shown). Simultaneously, theidentifying means placed on the slide falls by gravity through therectangular channel 61 to assume its position in the optical path at thesensing station. Regardless whether there is correlation or failure toestablish correlation between both identifying means now disposed at thesensing station, a brief moment thereafter solenoid 72 becomes energizedto actuate a tripping lever 73 to cause release of identifying means 18and return thereof to the customer at the exit end 74 of channelstructure 61. It will be apparent that the solenoid operated actuator 60which operates the shutter associated with each identifymg means may beenergized each time that correlation has been established so as toprevent future correlation between the particular pair of identifyingmeans, or that the actuator may be actuated to preclude furthercorrelation when the privileges of a customer have been cancelled. Theflags or shutters may be reset periodically, for instance every night,at which time it will be possible also to remove, insert or change theidentifying means within the receptacle structure. Whenever the shutteror flag has been actuated so as'to uncover the aperture on identifyingmeans 12, light will reach sensing means 19 and operation of asubsequent controlled instrumentality is prevented. Similarly, the samecondition prevails when improper identifying means or credentials arepresented.

Slide 70 may be equipped with indexing means which mate with similarmean on identifying means 18 to ascertain that the identifying means areof proper type, to exclude competing services, etc. in a manner which issimilar to commercial charge account plates.

FIGURE 8 shows certain details of the provisions for holding frames 30on the wheels 43. In particular, each of the wheels is equipped with atop and bottom annular rim 80 to which each of the plurality of framesis fastened using bent-over tabs 30A which form an integral part of eachframe. Identification means 12 is slid into a frame by verticalinsertion thereinto.

A typical schematic circuit diagram for determining correlation of theidentifying means is shown in FIGURE 9. Switch 71 which is momentarilyactuated by slide 7 0 closes a circuit via battery 91 to the coil of atime delay relay 92. Relay 92 is such that it remains, when actuated,closed for a few seconds by using for instance a dashpot structure toprevent fast drop out. As soon as relay 92 is energized, battery 91illuminates lamp 15 via contact switch 92B. During the time that relay92 is closed identifying means 18 inserted on the slide falls throughchannel 61 and assumes its position in the optical path between lamp 15and photoelectric sensing means 19. Photoelectric tube 19 is connectedto a battery 93, relay 94 and amplifying tube 95. The amplifying tube 95having an anode, a control electrode and a cathode is normally renderednon-conductive by means of a bias battery 96 which maintains a negativepotential between the control electrode and the cathode. As soon asphotocell 19 receives light, the control electrode of tube 95 isrendered more positive thereby allowing conduction in tube 95 andclosing the series circuit comprising anode battery 93, relay coil 94,and plate-to-cathode circuit of tube 95. The energizing of coil 94 opensthe associated contact 94A thereby interrupting a signal from battery 91via closed contact 92A to the code verification circuit 97. When circuit97 fails to receive a signal there exists a lack of correlation betweenboth identifying means. In the event however, that no light is receivedby photoelectric cell 19, relay 94 remains de-energized and circuit 97remains connected to one side of battery 91 after relay 92 has beenactuated.

It will be quite apparent that when shutters 32 are rotated to permitlight through aperture 23, light will be incident upon photoelectriccell 19, thus causing actuation of relay 94 and thereby preventingcircuit 97 from receiving a required signal. As has been describedhereinbefore, actuator 61 may be operated after each operation, or aftercorrelation has been established, or selectively upon instructions totemporarily lock out one or more customers. The operation of actuator 69can readily be controlled from an additional control circuit (not shown)depending upon the desired mode of operation. Operation of solenoid 72which causes lever 73 to release and return identifying means 18 can becontrolled in many ways as for instance by timing means using a cam, bya manually controlled pushbutton, or by such other suitable means as arewell known to those skilled in the art.

An alternate embodiment of the instant invention is depicted in FIGURESto 15. Referring to FIGURE 10, the illumination means 15, lenses 16 and17, sensing means 19 as well as a separable portion 61A of the channelstructure 61 are mounted on a movable carriage structure, identified ingeneral by numeral 101), which is moved in longitudinal direction by adriving belt 101 engaging the carriage structure by means of supportingmeans 102. The carriage is supported for longitudinal motion on carriageshafts 105 and 106, seen more clearly in FIG- URES 11 to 14. A framestructure comprising in part end plates 108 and 109 supportstherebetween, a longitudinal shaft 110 on which there is mounted forpivotal motion a plurality of spaced identifying means 12 of the typedescribed in connection with the previous figures. The diagonal edge ofthe identifying means rests against a longitudinal bar 122, FIGURES 10,12 and 13. The entire structure is housed in a suitable enclosurecomprising in part cover 102, FIGURE 10, and may be considered thereceptacle which contains the plurality of individual identifying means12. Each of the longitudinally spaced identifying means is arranged tobe brought into alignment with a similar identifying means normallydisposed outside of the receptacle.

The longitudinal motion of the carriage 100 relative to the position ofthe individual identifying means 12 is controlled by a manuallyadjustable control means 112 which operates a servo motor 113 to impartrotation to pulley 114 for driving belt 101 and pulley 115.

In order to operate the instant device, the identifying means in thepossession of the customer is placed onto slide 70, the slide is movedmomentarily inward causing the identifying means to fall through channel61, toward separated portion 61A and into the optical path between lightsource 15 and sensing means 19. The identifying means 18 is temporarilyheld in optical alignment by means of a stop 116. Upon adjusting control112, carriage 101) (FIGURE 10) is driven toward the left to a positionwhich corresponds to the position of the selected identifying meansdisposed within the receptacle. When the carriage has reached thepredetermined position along its longitudinal excursion, the selectedidentifying means 12 is raised into the optical path by momentarilyenergizing solenoid and actuating arm 121 coupled thereto. Theidentifying means thereby is lifted away from the support bar 122,FIGURE 13, and comes to rest against a stop 123, FIGURE 14, the stopbeing a part of the movable carriage structure and being approximatelyof the same width as the identifying means 12.

While identifying means 12 is in the raised position as depicted inFIGURE 14, it is in optical alignment with the customers identifyingmeans 18 previously inserted into the optical path. It will be observedthat the optical rela tion between the illumination means and sensingmeans 19 is maintained at all times since the carriage travels to theposition of the identifying means 12 and carries along with it theidentifying means 18 normally in possession of the customer. As soon asthe identifying means 12 has been raised, actuator 121 resumes itsnormal horizontal position as depicted in FIGURES ll, 13, and 15. Whentesting for correlation between identifying means 12 and 18 hasoccurred, motor (FIGURE 13), coupled to a gear reduction 131 andconnected to slip clutch 132 drives the belt 101 in opposite directionto return the carriage to its starting position as shown in FIGURE 10.As the carriage 100 with its stop 123 moves away from the raisedidentifying means 12, there is no longer a vertical support for theidentifying means 12, causing it to drop in counter-clockwise directionto a rest bar 135, FIGURES l0 and 15, thereby assuming a third positionfrom which the identifying means cannot be raised by means describedhereinbefore but must be reset to the first described position. In thismanner, as soon as the card once has been raised for the purpose offinding correlation, it becomes temporarily disabled for further useuntil it is reset by manual or automatic means. Slip clutch 132 isprovided so as to permit the carriage 101) to return to its startingposition from different locations along its excursion, requiringtherefore only timing means to stop motor 130 after a predeterminedperiod of time corresponding to the maximum travel time. As soon as thecarriage has returned to the start position, solenoid 141) 12'n'ormallyoccupyingthe position depicted in FIGURES and 13 are raised forverifying purposes to the position shown in FIGURE 14, and finally, whenthe carriage returns to its start position, the identifying means aredropped to the position shown in FIGURE 15, thus temporarily disablingthem from further alignment and correlation with identifying means 18.When operating reset knob 142 fastened to shaft 110, bar 135 connectedto shaft 110 by means of radial links 144 and 145 is raised and rotatedabout an arc having its axis of rotation coincident with shaft 110thereby returning any and all identifying means 12 occupying theposition shown in FIG- URE to their original starting position asdepicted in FIGURE 13. In this manner, the combination of knob 142,links 144, 145 and stop bar 135 becomes a reset mechanism for theidentifying means 12.

It will be apparent that instead of the signature and graphic datadepicted in FIGURES 2 and 3, the identifying means 12 and 18respectively may be provided with codes, indicia or other suitable meansto cause them to be distinct and enable comparison to establish theexistence or absence of correlation between the two instruments ofidentification.

FIGURES 16 to 19 disclose a further and alternate embodiment of theidentifying means. It is well known that if a piece of material, such asa sheet of paper, is torn into two parts there is created between thetwo parts a complementary edge or border which will not match with anyother edge or material except with the portion with which it originallywas united; Any doctoring along the edge will only destroy any matchingformerly existing.

Numeral 160 in FIGURE 16 identifies a piece of opaque sheet material,laminated between a set of transparent plastic plates 161 therebyconstituting an identifying means 12 normally disposed in thereceptacle. A similar piece of opaque sheet material 162 is laminatedbetween a set of transparent plates 163 thereby forming the identifyingmeans 18 normally in possession of the customer or subscriber. Bothsheets 160 and 162 have a complementary border or edge, numerals 164 and165 respectively, which has been created by severing the formerly unitedpiece.

Identifying means 12 and 18 when positioned parallel to one another canbe brought into alignment in such a manner that borders 164 and 165 areblocking light from source 15 to sensing means 19, see FIGURES 18 and19, thus signifying their complementary character and correlation. Ifimproper identifying means are used, such matching will not be possible.

In order to obtain proper testing, it is necessary to position bothidentifying means accurately, preferably from their outer margins andeffect severance of the identifying means in generally the same area.Means for accomplishing both prerequisites are well known to thoseskilled in the art. It will be apparent that many other coding means maybe employed in connection with the identifying means, including magneticor electrically conductive indicia, perforated pass cards, color codeand sensing means and many others. In all cases it will be understoodhowever that the identifying means disposed in the possession of thesubscriber must be correlated and matched with a similar identifyingmeans, the latter being normally inaccessible to the customer orsubscriber.

In order to achieve accurate alignment of both identifying means Withoutthe use of expensive positioning means, the foregoing illustrations maybe modified to include manually operated controls which enable thesubscriber to bring the identifying means normally under his controlinto alignment with the identifying means disposed in the receptacle.ing means to vary the position of identifying means 18 relative to means12. In this manner, the subscriber is used to perform an important stepin the test for correlation between a set ,of identifying means.

Such control means include position 8, From the foregoing disclosure itwill be clearly apparent that the instant device performs a most usefulfunction in conjunction with automatic vending machines, providingimportant safeguards to subscriber and proprietor alike. The verifyingdevice described thus greatly enhances the application and usefulness ofmany types of services involving trust and confidence between twoparties.

While there have been described and illustrated certain embodiments ofthe present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various other changes and modifications may be made therein withoutdeviating from the intent and spirit of the invention which shall belimited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A verifying apparatus for use by a subscriber comprising:

an enclosure;

a receptacle in said enclosure for supporting inaccessible to thesubscriber a plurality of first identifying means;

each of said first identifying means provided with indicia which rendersuch means distinctive from other and similar first identifying meanswithin said plurality;

a receiving means disposed on said enclosure adapted to receive from thesubscriber a second identifying means which is provided with identifyingindicia;

a sensing means in said enclosure;

means causing said second identifying means when received by saidreceiving means to be in communication with said sensing means;

control means connected to the receptacle and up erable by the depositorfor causing selectively one of said first identifying means to be incommunication with said sensing means;

further control means connected to said sensing means and adapted todetermine correlation of the respective indicia when one of said firstand a second identifying means are in communication with said sensingmeans, and

means connected to said receiving means for rendering said secondidentifying means available for return to the depositor subsequent tothe actuation of said further means.

2. A verifying apparatus for use by a subscriber as set forth in claim 1wherein means are included to provide relative motion between thereceptacle and the sensing station to cause in response to the operationof said control means a selected first identifying means to be incommunication with the sensing means.

3. A verifying apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indiciainclude a facsimile of the signature of the subscriber.

4 A verifying apparatus for use by a subscriber comprising:

an enclosure;

a receptacle in said enclosure for supporting inaccessible to thesubscriber a plurality of first identifying means;

each of said first identifying means supported by the receptacleand'provided with indicia which render such means distinctive from otherand similar first identifying means within said plurality;

a sensing station including sensing means disposed in said enclosure;

receiving means disposed on said enclosure adapted to receive from thesubscriber a second identifying means which is provided'with identifyingindicia;

means causing said second identifying means when received by saidreceiving means to be disposed at the sensing station and incommunication with said sensing means;

motive means for providingrelative motion between the receptacle andsensing station;

control means connected to-the motive means and operable by thedepositor for causing selectively one of said first identifying means tobe in communication with said sensing means;

further control means connected to said sensing means and adapted todetermine correlation of the respective indicia when one of said firstand a second identifying means are in communication with said sensingmeans, and

means connected to said sensing station for rendering said secondidentifying means available for return to the depositor subsequent tothe actuation of said further means.

5. A verifying apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said motivemeans move the receptacle with first identifying means relative to thesensing station.

6. A verifying apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said motivemeans move the sensing means relative to the receptacle and firstidentifying means supported by the receptacle.

7. A verifying apparatus for use by a subscriber comprising:

an enclosure;

a receptacle in said enclosure for supporting inaccessible to thesubscriber a plurality of first identifying means;

each of said first identifying means provided with indicia which rendersuch means distinctive from other and similar first identifying meanswithin said plutrality;

a sensing station including sensing means forming a part of saidenclosure;

receiving means disposed on said enclosure adapted to receive from thesubscriber a second identifying means which is provided with identifyingindicia;

means causing said second identifying means when received by saidreceiving means to be in communication with said sensing means;

motive means for providing relative motion between the receptacle andsensing station;

control means connected to the motive means and operable by thedepositor for causing selectively one of said first identifying means tobe in communication with said sensing means;

further control means connected to said sensing means and adapted todetermine correlation of the respective indicia when one of said firstand a second identifying means are in communication with said sensingmeans;

means connected to said sensing station for rendering said secondidentifying means available for return to the depositor subsequent tothe actuation of said further means,

and means adapted to act upon said first identifying means to precludethe status of correlation between its indicia and that of the secondidentifying means.

8. A verifying apparatus for use by a subscriber comprising:

an enclosure;

a receptacle in said enclosure for supporting inaccessible to thesubscriber a plurality of first identifying means;

each of said first identifying means removably fastened to thereceptacle and provided with indicia which render such means distinctivefrom other and similar first identifying means within said plurality;

a sensing station including sensing means forming a part of saidenclosure;

receiving means disposed on said enclosure adapted to receive from thesubscriber a second identifying means which is provided with identifyingindicia;

means causing said second identifying means when received by saidreceiving means to be in communication with said sensing means;

motive means for providing relative motion between the receptacle andsensing station;

10 control means connected to the motive means and operable by thedepositor for causing selectively one of said first identifying means tobe in communication with said sensing means;

further control means connected to said sensing means and adapted todetermine correlation of the respective indicia when one of said firstand a second identifying means are in communication with said sensingmeans;

means connected to said sensing station for rendering said secondidentifying means available for return to the depositor subsequent tothe actuation of said further means,

and means adapted to act upon said first identifying means in responseto the operation of said further control means to preclude the status ofcorrelation between the indicia of the selected first identifying meansand that of the second identifying means.

9. A verifying apparatus for use by a subscriber as set forth in claim 8wherein said first and second identifying means comprise transparenciesand said means adapted to act upon each first identifying means comprisea movable light intercepting flag.

10. A verifying apparatus for use by a subscriber as set forth in claim8 wherein said means adapted to act upon each of said first identifyingmeans comprises means for changing the position of the respective firstidentifying means in the receptacle.

11. A verifying apparatus for use by a subscriber comprising:

an enclosure;

a movable receptacle disposed in said enclosure for supportinginaccessible to the subscriber a plurality of partially transparentfirst identifying means; each of said first identifying means removablyfastened to the receptacle and provided with a pattern of transparentand opaque indicia which renders such means distinctive from other andsimilar first identifying means within said plurality; a sensing stationincluding a light source and light responsive sensing means disposed insaid enclosure;

receiving means disposed on said enclosure adapted to receive from thesubscriber a second partially transparent identifying means which isprovided with a similar pattern of transparent and opaque identifyingindicia;

means causing said second identifying means when received by saidreceiving means to be in communication with said sensing means;

motive means coupled to said receptacle for providing relative motionbetween the receptacle and sensing station;

control means connected to the motive means and operable by thedepositor for causing selectively one of said first identifying meansfastened to the receptacle to be in communication with said sensingmeans;

further control means connected to said sensing means and actuated whenone of said first and a second identifying means are in communicationwith said sensing means to determine correlation of the respectiveindicia;

means for releasing said second identifying means from engagement withthe receiving means for return to the depositor in response to theactuation of said further means,

and means carried by the receptacle and adapted to act upon each of saidfirst identifying means to preclude the status of correlation betweenthe indicia of the selected first identifying means and that of thesecond identifying means.

12. A verifying apparatus for use by a subscriber comprising:

an enclosure;

a receptacle disposed in said enclosure for supporting --'each of saidfirst.identifying means fastened to the receptacle and adapted to occupya first, second and third position respectively;

- each of said identifying means provided with a pattern of transparentand opaque indicia which renders such means distinctive from other andsimilar first identifying means within said plurality;-

a sensing station including a light source and light responsive sensingmeans disposed in said enclosure;

receiving means disposed on said enclosure adapted to receive from thesubscriber a second partially transparent identifying means which isprovided with'a similar pattern of transparent and opaque identifyingindicia;

means causing said second identifying means when received by saidreceiving means to be in communication with said sensing means;

j motive means for providing relative motion between the receptacle andsensing station;

' control means connected to the motive means and operable by thedepositor for causing selectively one of said first identifying meansfastened to the receptacle to be moved from its first position to itssecond posi-" tion whereby to cause said first identifying means to bein communication with said sensing means; further control meansconnected to said sensing means and actuated when one of said first anda second identifying means are in communication with said sensing meansto determine correlation of the respective indicia;

12 means for releasing said second identifying means from communicationwith said sensing means in response to the actuation of said furthermeans,

and means acting upon said first identifying means in response to theoperation of said further control means for causing said selected firstidentifying means to assume its third position whereby to prevent itfrom being caused to assume its second posi- ,tion in response to, theoperation of said motive means.

13. A verifying apparatus for use by a subscriber as set forth in claim12 wherein said motive means in response to the operation of saidcontrol means moves said sensing station along the receptacle to theposition of said selected first identifying means.

14. A verifying means for use by a subscriber as set forth in claim 12wherein control means are provided to reset first identifying means fromtheflthird position to the first position.

References Cited by the Examiner .,UNITED STATES PATENTS MALCOLM A.MORRISON, Primary Examiner. NEIL c. READ, IRVING L. SRAGOW, Examiners.

1. A VERIFYING APPARATUS FOR USE BY A SUBSCRIBER COMPRISING: ANENCLOSURE; A RECEPTACLE IN SAID ENCLOSURE FOR SUPPORTING INACCESSIBLE TOTHE SUBSCRIBER A PLURALITY OF FIRST IDENTIFYING MEANS; EACH OF SAIDFIRST IDENTIFYING MEANS PROVIDED WITH INDICIA WHICH RENDER SUCH MEANSDISTINCTIVE FROM OTHER AND SIMILAR FIRST IDENTIFYING MEANS WITHIN SAIDPLURALITY; A RECEIVING MEANS DISPOSED ON SAID ENCLOSURE ADAPTED TORECEIVE FROM THE SUBSCRIBER A SECOND IDENTIFYING MEANS WHICH IS PROVIDEDWITH IDENTIFYING INDICIA; A SENSING MEANS IN SAID ENCLOSURE; MEANSCAUSING SAID SECOND IDENTIFYING MEANS WHEN RECEIVED BY SAID RECEIVINGMEANS TO BE IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID SENSING MEANS; CONTROL MEANSCONNECTED TO THE RECEPTACLE AND OPERABLE BY THE DEPOSITOR FOR CAUSINGSELECTIVELY ONE OF SAID FIRST IDENTIFYING MEANS TO BE IN COMMUNICATIONWITH SAID SENSING MEANS; FURTHER CONTROL MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID SENSINGMEANS AND ADAPTED TO DETERMINE CORRELATION OF THE RESPECTIVE INDICIAWHEN ONE OF SAID FIRST AND A SECOND IDENTIFYING MEANS ARE INCOMMUNICATION WITH SAID SENSING MEANS, AND MEANS CONNECTED TO SAIDRECEIVING MEANS FOR RENDERING SAID SECOND IDENTIFYING MEANS AVAILABLEFOR RETURN TO THE DEPOSITOR SUBSEQUENT TO THE ACTUATION OF SAID FURTHERMEANS